In December 2005, Canada led
the world at the UN Conference on Climate Change in Montreal. Despite George W.
BushÕs efforts to derail the Kyoto Protocol, the countries in attendance passed
40 regulations that will slow the rate of catastrophic climate change, the
single greatest global threat to life on the planet.

Calling the Kyoto Protocol
unachievable, last week Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said that if
elected, his government would set their own targets and work toward establishing
an agreement with the US, the world's largest producer of greenhouse gas
emissions. Almost immediately there was a shift in automobile advertising. Gone
were the television ads promoting fuel efficiency that flooded the networks
after last fall's hurricane season played havoc with US oil production. In
their stead, viewers saw a return to the promotion of gas-guzzling monster
trucks and SUVs.

A quick check of The
Conservative Party of Canada's official website makes Harper's position on
Kyoto perfectly understandable. The environment doesn't even appear on the top
seven "Key Issues" listed on the site.

This isnÕt just about
consumer preference or political choice. What Canadians need to understand is
that the decision we make on January 23rd will not only affect
Canada, but ultimately have an impact on the rest of the world. What those who
put their faith in economic growth over environmental protection fail to
recognize is that it is in our economic best interests to protect the
environment. The word "economy" and "ecology" both come
from the same Greek word, "oikos" meaning house. Without a balanced
consideration of both, we have neither.

Consider the economic impact
of last year's violent hurricane season. Scientists have since stated that the
severity of the storms was a direct result of climate change. The resulting
tens of billions of dollars in insurance claims and health costs, as well as
the immediate dramatic increase in gas and oil prices have affected the bottom
line of every corporation on the planet, and ultimately the budget of every
consumer.

In an eleventh hour attempt
to educate voters about the dangers of a Conservative majority government, a
group of respected environmental, health, social justice and labor leaders have
formed the Think Twice Coalition. The group includes such notables as Elizabeth
May, Officer of the Order of Canada, and Maude Barlow, 2005 recent recipient of
the prestigious Right Livelihood Award (considered to be the alternative Nobel
Peace Prize). What May, Barlow and others are asking is for Canadians to take a
sober second look at what could happen following a Conservative win on January
23rd.

"We believe Canada is at
risk. We are in danger of electing a Bush-like Conservative party that will
undo social programs, gut environmental legislation and devolve powers to the
provinces in a way that will destroy the fabric of the country," the group
stated in a January 12th news release. "We arestanding up for Canada. We need more than just a vote
for change. We need to vote for a Canada with strong social programs and
environmental protections and fairness for everyone."

The members of the Think
Twice Coalition steer clear of endorsing other parties or political platforms
and state that they are not making a personal attack on Harper. To the
contrary, they consider Harper, "Very intelligent with a coherent and
deeply held philosophical orientation." The issue is that Harper's
orientation, indeed the orientation of all political leaders, needs to be
examined and understood.

Unfortunately, far too many
Canadians don't even bother to vote, let alone take the time to understand the
issues, and then exercise their democratic right. Voter turnout has declined
steadily since 1984 when 75 percent of Canadians turned out to the polls. In
2004, only 60 percent of Canadians voted. In the 18 to 24 age group, a mere 38
percent of eligible voters actually cast a ballot in the last federal election.
To quote Anne Hansen's timeless essay, Democracy is Not A Spectator Sport, "Imagine the unprecedented impact on governmental
policy if every citizen woke up and exercised the right and the responsibility to speak and act for positive change."

Imagine, indeed.

RELATED WEBSITES

Canadian voters
have a responsibility to fully understand the platforms of all of our major
political parties, and to vote with their conscience, not just for the party
that the latest poll predicts is likely to win. Exercise your constitutional
rights and check out: